Literary Analyses of Johannine Characters
by Randy Lopez

The Mother of Jesus

Statistical Information
Appearances  "Wedding at Cana" (2:1-12)
"Crucifixion / Glorification of Jesus" (19:25-27)
also mentioned in reference in 6:42
Titles Given  "Woman" (by Jesus: 2:4; 19:26)
Gender  Female
Age  unknown
Marital Status:  Married to Joseph (6:42)
Place of Birth:  unknown
Place of Residence unknown
Relatives  Jesus (son: 2:1,3,5,12; 6:42; 19:25,26),
Joseph (husband: 6:42)

"Wedding at Cana" (2:1-12)

Narrator's Portrayal

The Mother of Jesus is not given a proper name.

Actions and Speech of the Mother of Jesus
The opening dialogue of the "Cana" episode is between Jesus and his mother.  This conversation is sparked when the Mother of Jesus notices that the wine jug is empty (2:3).  This may be interpreted in two ways
                            1. The Mother of Jesus implying a request, or
                            2. The Mother of Jesus making an observation.
It is not clear within the narrative whether it is a request or an observation.  Working on the two possibilities,

Verse 4 also connotes that although she is Jesus' mother, she does not have a claim as to the time or the event of revelation. It states that the revelation is of no one person's concern.

The Mother of Jesus also appears obedient and acts as an intercessor. Although (if she did make a request) her petition was rejected by her son, she did not express regular reactions to rejection, but she continued to trust his ability to act and plead to the servants to obey her son should he give a command (2:5)
 
 

Other Character's Reactions to the Mother of Jesus
Verse 4 also connotes that although she is Jesus' mother, she does not have a claim as to the time or the event of revelation. It states that the revelation is of no one person's concern.

The instructions given by the Mother of Jesus to the servants in 2:5 serves as a request by the Mother to pay attention to her son. Although the actions of the servants to fill the jars was prompted by Jesus' command (2:7), it cannot be discounted that the Mother prepared the servants for any command that Jesus may request upon them.

There have been discussions regarding Jesus' addressing his mother as "Woman" connoting disrespect and a separation of a familial relationship. In contrast, Jesus addresses the females in the Synoptic Gospels as well as this as "woman" and is surely is not meant as a sign of disrespect. In addition to this, by calling the mother "woman", the author gives her a "Second Eve" status
The Mother of Jesus makes two appearances in this Gospel and this is her introductory scene. The audience is introduced in this narrative and the author places her in the story by the invitation of Jesus' party in the wedding (2:1-2). At the wedding the Mother of Jesus serves as an observer who takes notice of a dilemma and as an intercessor (if the statement in 2:3 is a request) to her son.

The Mother of Jesus also serves as a loyal follower of Jesus by her pleading to the servants to pay heed to the words of her son and serves as an example of obedience. Though this, she shows that Jesus has the command of which there is authority-that in order for there to be a remedy, it is imperative to listen and obey Jesus.
 
 

"The Crucifixion / Glorification of Jesus" (19:16-37)

Narrator's Portrayal
The Mother of Jesus once again appears at the foot of the cross. She is still unnamed by the author.
 
 
The Mother of Jesus' Actions and Speech
In this particular installment, the Mother of Jesus has no vocal statements-she neither says anything nor does she appear to sob or wail. In this scene, she is accompanied by the "disciple whom he [Jesus] loved" who is standing beside her (19:26).
 
 
Other Character's Reactions to the Mother of Jesus
The disciple whom Jesus loved no doubt accompanies the Mother of Jesus at the foot of the cross. In this narrative, it seems that, if the Mother of Jesus is standing, he is there for support or for rest. In addition to this, the disciple obeys Jesus and takes the mother into his own house.

Concerning Jesus himself, he gives the beloved disciple and his own mother a command of dual obligation. To the disciple, he presents his mother and to his mother, Jesus presents a son (19:26-27). In this dual obligation, Jesus presents that the disciple has been committed the care for his own mother and that she is in his keeping.

Keeping with the language in 2:1-12, the Mother of Jesus is once again called "woman" by Jesus.

The Mother of Jesus' Movement in the Narrative
he Mother of Jesus makes two appearances in this Gospel and this is her introductory scene. The audience is introduced in this narrative and the author places her in the story by the invitation of Jesus' party in the wedding (2:1-2). At the wedding the Mother of Jesus serves as an observer who takes notice of a dilemma and as an intercessor (if the statement in 2:3 is a request) to her son.

The Mother of Jesus also serves as a loyal follower of Jesus by her pleading to the servants to pay heed to the words of her son and serves as an example of obedience. Though this, she shows that Jesus has the command of which there is authority-that in order for there to be a remedy, it is imperative to listen and obey Jesus.

  
Introduction
WebPage Structure 
Active Characters
Characters by Categories
Characters by Episodes


 

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This page was last updated on 09/27/01